It seems one of the things I hear myself saying on repeat is how important it is to understand the story in which we are a part; the story of redemption. When God said "Go", humanity sought to stay. His response seems like confusion and chaos, but truly, it was a jumpstart to the plan he'd been working all along.

The similarities between what happened at Babel and what happened after the resurrection aren't coincidence or circumstantial, but they are revealing. Revealing of the human heart as well as His Divine plan.

At Babel, we said "Let us gather, stay, and make a name" but after His resurrection, Jesus said
"I have been given all authority ... now GO." The Great Commission we find in Matthew 28 is random or reactionary. It is the redemptive answer to Genesis 11.

Where Babel centralized, withdrew, and gathered. Jesus decentralized, expanded, and sent us out.
At Babel, man grasped for heaven. In Matthew, Jesus brought the Kingdom to man in Jesus Himself.
At Babel languages were divided. In Jesus, disciples are made of all nations. This is even more pointedly reversed at Pentecost when the Spirit supernaturally reverses the language barrier by giving the gift of languages they don't know.

The image here is powerful. What began as judgment becomes the foundation for global mission and the fruition of Divine Redemption. We tried to ascend to heaven, but Christ descended to us, conquered the enemy and sent us out into His world to do the same.

Jesus completely dismantled the logic and efforts of Babel through His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, gift of the Spirit, and subsequent commission GO!

We must aggressively guard against the urge to build our own "towers". Ministries, platforms, and influence can slowly and quietly draw us towards the logic and thinking of Babel, drawing ourselves inward as we reach for God in our own power.

But Jesus sends us out, dependent and humble, taking His authority and message instead of making our own.

In what ways might you be tempted to build something impressive rather than faithfully go where Jesus sends? How does Christ’s authority free you from striving to gain and live in your own?

Father, I know all authority belongs to you. Keep my heart from wanting to pursue my own strength and building monuments to myself. Send me out instead and give me strength to obey. Teach me to trust that Your name, not mine, is the only one that matters. Amen.